No. 22
Paul asks Todd if it's true. Todd admits that that's what he wants the money for. He goes on that he thought if he told Paul the truth he wouldn't give it to him; his Uncle Jim and Aunt Bev don't like him going to the arcade and he thought Paul wouldn't either. Paul says coldly:

PAUL: So you *lied* to us?
TODD: It's just that I'm real close to scoring the highest points on my favourite game - and once you get the highest score, you can put your name in for everyone else to see. [Turning to Katie] If you would've kept your mouth shut, I would've done it, too.

Katie tells her brother that she didn't like him lying to Paul and Gail: they've been really good to them and he kept on lying all the time. Todd asks Paul if he's going to tell Jim. Paul replies that he and Gail will have to talk about that. He then suggests the kids head up to their room. Todd trudges off upstairs. Katie asks Paul what he's going to do to Todd. Paul, however, just replies that he and Gail are going to have to work that out. Katie insists that Todd didn't *mean* to be bad. With that, she follows her brother upstairs. Left alone with Paul, Gail sighs:

GAIL: I suppose we're going to have to let Jim and Bev know.
PAUL: Oh Gail, I think there's too much tension over there already, don't you?
GAIL: Well, what do we do? We're not exactly *experienced* in dealing with kids.
PAUL: Well now, I suppose this is the time that we start learning, eh?!

No. 24
There's a knock on the front door of No. 24. Harold - who's sitting reading - looks at his watch in surprise. He goes and opens the door and finds Reverend Sampson standing on the step. He heads inside and apologises for spoiling Harold's evening, but explains that he wanted to ask him about their a cappella group. Harold smiles:

HAROLD: The cream of the church singers, eh? Well - that's what *I've* always said. To be able to keep pitch and tone without musical accompaniment is very difficult. They are an *excellent* group.

Reverend Sampson tells Harold that Mr. Cooper is leaving for Perth and they're wanting a replacement baritone. Looking hopeful, Harold smiles:

HAROLD: I see... I see.
REVEREND SAMPSON: We'll be holding auditions.

Harold's face drops! The Reverend goes on that they need to make a decision fairly quickly so that whoever replaces Mr. Cooper is already prepared for Sunday's performance. He adds that the auditions will be at 10:00 in the morning and he was hoping Harold would take part. Harold smiles in delight - but then realises that he has some appointments in the morning regarding the refurbishment of the Coffee Shop; it's too late to put them off now. The Reverend remarks that that's a pity: if they want to rehearse with the new member tomorrow night, they'll have to make the decision during the day, and if Harold can't attend the morning audition, then he's sorry but he'll just have to miss out. Harold, however, says quickly:

HAROLD: Just a minute, just a minute... Scott has got a tape recorder that he uses for work. Would it be all right if I *tape* my audition?
REVEREND SAMPSON: I don't see why not.

Harold smiles that he can do it tonight and have it to the Reverend first thing in the morning. He adds that he won't tell Madge about it until he's absolutely sure he's got it: it'll make a lovely surprise for her. The Reverend hands Harold a copy of the sheet music for the song they're singing on Sunday - Purcell's 'Nymphs and Shepherds'. Harold frowns that it's been a while since he's sung that one - but he adds quickly that it'll be all right. As the two men head to the door, Reverend Sampson smiles:

REVEREND SAMPSON: I'm so glad you've overcome your problem. You know, I've always admired your voice and I know you'd be an asset to the group - and although we're holding these auditions, I'd be very surprised if you're not chosen.

With that, he goes to leave, telling Harold he'll let him get on with recording his tape. Harold closes the door behind him and starts hunting around for Scott's tape recorder. He finds it in a drawer in the lounge room, takes it out, finds a tape lying on top of the dresser and puts it into the machine. He then turns it on and clears his throat.

No. 30
Nick, Sharon and Jessie Ross are in the kitchen at No. 30, preparing something to eat. Nick says he's not looking forward to the exam results: he doesn't think he did too well. Jessie says she isn't either - she reckons Maths was pretty rough. Sharon says:

SHARON: Not for me - I'm *good* at Maths.

Jessie suggests that they'd better start tidying up before Bronwyn gets back. Sharon sighs that her sister's almost as tidy as their Aunt Edie. Jessie asks where Bronwyn *is*, and Sharon tells her:

SHARON: Next door, helping Mrs. Mangel with all the wedding stuff. Can you believe someone is actually *marrying* the old duck?!

She then suddenly notices that Jessie has a bruise on her face, and she asks her what she did to herself. Jessie hesitates before saying:

JESSIE: Oh, um, I was practicing tennis against the side of the house and the ball hit me in the face.
SHARON (laughs): You're *always* doing something to yourself!
JESSIE (shrugs): Born clumsy, I guess.

Changing the subject quickly, Jessie comments to Sharon that she wishes she was good at Maths like *her*. Sharon points out that it might be easier from tomorrow, as Mike will be taking their Maths class. She adds that they'll be able to have a bit of fun in class for a change - and she doesn't reckon he'll be too strict about homework, either! Jessie, however, says it wouldn't be very fair expecting him to act like a friend: he still has to do his job. Sharon shrugs that that doesn't mean he can't go a bit easy on them. Jessie suddenly realises that it's after 8pm, and she exclaims in horror that she's got to get home. Nick asks her if she wants him to walk her, but she tells him that it's all right and she dashes out. When she's gone, Nick remarks to Sharon:

NICK: Geez, *she's* in a bit of a panic, isn't she? Her parents must be tough: she seems so scared of upsetting them.
SHARON: Yeah, well, there's nothing worse than the olds when they get heavy.
NICK: No...

No. 22
Paul is sitting on the couch with Gail, saying:

PAUL: Gail, I don't really want to make a big issue out of it.
GAIL (agrees): No - he's far too insecure; and the tension between Jim and Bev must remind him of *his* mum and dad.
PAUL: Yeah... he and Katie have only just settled down and the rug's pulled out from under them. I suppose the amusement arcade is some sort of escape for him, eh?
GAIL: Hmm.... and getting the name 'Todd Landers' up on that video screen as the best player would probably make him feel like he's achieved something - you know: put him above what's gone on around him.
PAUL: Yeah, OK - that's it from *his* point of view, but what are *we* going to do about it?
GAIL (sighs): Couldn't we just overlook it?
PAUL: That's really not going to help him, is it?
GAIL (admits): No, I suppose not...

Paul, however, looks suddenly thoughtful and he says he thinks he knows what to do. He calls upstairs to Todd and asks him to come down. Todd does so. Paul then tells him:

PAUL: We're going down to the video arcade.
TODD (uncertainly): How come?
PAUL: Because you're going to play that machine until you get your name up there as No. 1.
TODD (excitedly): For real?!
PAUL (nods): Hm - but I'm warning you: I don't care how long it takes, but you're going to do it or drop it.
TODD (happily): Do it? I'll do it, no worries!

No. 24
Harold is sitting at the kitchen table, listening to the recording of his audition for the church's a cappella group. As the recording comes to an end, he turns off the recorder and sits there looking pleased with himself. He stands up and puts the recorder on the kitchen counter, a smug expression on his face. At that moment, the front door opens and Madge comes in. She asks Harold if he had a quiet evening. He nods that it was *very* quiet. Madge tells him that hers was pretty busy: the evening shift always seems to be the longest - and if she doesn't get a decent night's sleep tonight, she'll be a complete wreck. Harold sighs:

HAROLD: Oh, now, don't start on about my snoring again.
MADGE: All right, Harold, but if you don't want to sleep in Henry's room, I suggest you try a peg tonight.
HAROLD: A *peg*?
MADGE: Yeah - on your nose. A couple of the customers at the pub suggested it.
HAROLD (looking annoyed): D'oh, you haven't been discussing my snoring with the *patrons*, have you? It's a *personal* problem.
MADGE: I just brought it up as a general topic of conversation, Harold; I didn't mention *you*.
HAROLD (firmly): Well, I'm definitely not going to sleep with a peg on my nose.
MADGE: Harold, if you're not prepared to do any-

She breaks off as the 'phone starts ringing and she goes and answers it. STD pips sound and Madge then exclaims:

MADGE: Henry! I've been *waiting* to hear from you. What's going on up there?

She listens, but then tells Henry that it's a very bad line: she can't hear him very clearly. She listens further before saying:

MADGE: Well, do they appear to be sorting things out? ... Oh, for heaven's sake, Henry, put some more change in. ...

It's no good, though, and Madge hangs up. Harold asks what happened and Madge tells him that Henry was 'phoning from a public 'phone booth and ran out of money. Harold asks why he didn't call from Scott and Charlene's, or from Dan and Edna's. Madge shrugs that maybe he thought it was too personal. Harold asks what he said, then. Madge, however, tells him that there wasn't much: the line was so bad that she could hardly hear him, but she *thinks* he said Scott and Charlene are sorting out their 'problem'. Harold asks:

HAROLD: Did he say what the problem *was*?
MADGE: No. Typical Henry. We don't really know much more than we did before he 'phoned.
HAROLD: Oh well, I wouldn't worry. Everything will be all right.

Madge doesn't look convinced...

Amusement arcade
Paul watches as Todd plays the video game - but loses his final life. He hands the boy some more money, and as Todd puts it in the machine, he comments:

TODD: That Skinner bloke's been on top for *weeks* now.
PAUL (encouragingly): Well, Todd, tonight's the night he'll topple into second place. Come on!

Todd resumes playing.

No. 28
Mike opens the front door to find Sharon standing on the step. Looking surprised, he tells her that he was just about to go to bed. Sharon, however, heads inside and tells him that she won't keep him very long: she just wanted to wish him luck for his prac teaching tomorrow. Mike shrugs that he's been doing OK with the Year 7s all week. Sharon, however, points out:

SHARON: But Year 10 will be a bit different, won't it. I mean - you *know* a lot of us.
MIKE: Yeah, well, hopefully that will *help*: a few familiar faces should make me feel a little less self- conscious in class. You know, it can work the other way as well: if you guys have a problem, you should be able to come to me without any difficulties.
SHARON: Yeah - you're our friend, aren't you!
MIKE: Yeah, well, I was a bit worried about it at first, but after having thought about it, it should make for a more relaxed atmosphere in class.
SHARON: That's what *we* think, too!

Amusement arcade
Todd is still playing. He tells Paul eagerly that he's only got 2,000 more to go before he beats the highest score. He carries on playing, concentrating intently. His score passes 70,000. Just at that moment, he loses his final life - but he leaps up from his seat and screams at Paul:

TODD: I did it!

He puts his name in at the top of the High Scores: 'TODD' appears above 'SKINNER'. Paul beams:

PAUL: Top of the heap, eh? Good on ya!

No. 24
Harold is standing on his waist- trimming vibrating machine, practicing his singing for the a cappella group. He turns the machine off and jogs across to his exercise bike. He starts pedalling as Madge emerges from the bedroom area, wearing her dressing gown, and groans that she wishes they hadn't replaced the bike today: the more he tires himself out, the more he snores. Harold points out tersely:

HAROLD: Madge, you *know* I have to exercise.
MADGE (sighs): Yes, all right, I know - but it doesn't help the *other* situation.
HAROLD: If you ask *me*, you're making mountains out of molehills - whole *ranges* of them.
MADGE (mutters): It would be a different story if *you* on the receiving end.

She heads through to the kitchen. Harold gives up the cycling and murmurs that he guesses he can cut his exercise short for one day. Madge calls across that she does wish she could make more sense of Henry's 'phone call: she'll be worried all night about that, too. Harold tells her that Scott and Charlene are going through a few bumpy patches; they'll be all right. Madge comments that it's very hard for them to be separated like that; she just wishes Scott could get a cadetship up in Brisbane. Harold suggests that maybe he'll be lucky this time, eh? Madge rejoins him in the lounge room, holding a peg in her hand! Harold tells her curtly:

HAROLD: And you can forget about *that*.
MADGE: Oh please, won't you *try*?
HAROLD: Most definitely not. If you ask me, you're over- reacting. Now come on, I want you to come to bed - and no more talk about my snoring: the whole thing's getting totally out of hand.
MADGE: You wouldn't say that if you could *hear* yourself - it's like a train thundering through the bedroom!

Harold heads off to the bedroom. Madge's eyes alight suddenly on Scott's tape recorder. She picks it up and muses quietly:

MADGE: If you want to hear yourself...

No. 24
The next morning, Madge places the tape recorder carefully back where she found it. Harold, who's sitting at the kitchen table, doesn't notice. Madge then asks him why he didn't wake her. Harold apologises and tells her that she was in such a deep sleep that he thought he'd leave her. Madge mutters that that's because she didn't get a wink until 5am. Harold sighs:

HAROLD: Look, this thing about me snoring is becoming an obsession - and I don't believe it's as bad as you're making it out to be.
MADGE: You don't? I might just *prove* it to you.

Before she can grab the tape recorder, though, Harold tells her that he hasn't got time right now: he's got quite a few appointments this morning; and he has to see Reverend Sampson first up. Madge asks if it's about Mrs. Mangel's wedding, but Harold tells her that it's about another matter altogether. Madge starts pottering around in the kitchen and doesn't notice Harold pick up the tape recorder and remove the tape. She tells him to come home for lunch and she'll convince him of her point of view. Harold nods that he'll see her around midday - and he might even have a surprise for her! With that, he heads out, singing again!

No. 22
Paul is sitting at the table with Todd and Katie, telling Katie enthusiastically about how Todd fought on valiantly against the demons and the zombies and the stompers... and then there it was: 'Todd Landers' as the highest score ever on that machine. Gail joins them and smiles that that was terrific! Todd tells her and Paul that they've both been great: he thought he was going to get punished for *sure*. Gail smiles that it's better to get it out of your system. Paul, however, warns Todd that there's to be no more lying - for *any* reason. Katie says to her brother:

KATIE: Do you forgive me now for dobbing?
TODD: Yeah. It all turned out OK anyway, didn't it?
KATIE (to Paul and Gail, happily): Todd's right: you two are great! I *love* living here with you. It's ace!

As the two kids get up to head to school, Katie smiles that she hopes they can stay there for a loooong time! Left alone with Paul, Gail asks him how come he knew the right way to handle the situation. Paul shrugs:

PAUL: Instinct, I suppose. I don't know if *dad's* going to agree, though...
GAIL: Well, do we have to tell him? He and Bev have got a lot on their plate just now, so why bother him?
PAUL: Yeah, I suppose the problem *does* seem to be solved, doesn't it - and I think Todd's got the video game bug out of his system.
GAIL: Frankly, I think you'd be doing him a *favour* by not saying anything. Todd's *happy*.
PAUL: Don't rock the boat, hey? OK - you've convinced me. I didn't really want to tell dad anyway!

Erinsborough High
A bunch of Year 10 kids walks along a corridor. Mike follows them, but Kenneth Muir calls out to him suddenly and says he's glad he caught him before class. He goes on:

MR. MUIR: I just wanted to warn you not to let personal familiarity with some of your students interfere with your effectiveness.
MIKE: Oh, it should be OK.
MR. MUIR: Well, you'll find they're a different kettle of fish to Year 7: they're that much closer to your own age and they're much less likely to accept your authority.
MIKE: Well, I think I can cope, Mr. Muir.

Mr. Muir tells Mike that he'll introduce him to the class. The two men walk into the classroom. Sharon and Jessie are sitting at the front as Mr. Muir addresses the class and says:

MR. MUIR: As you all know, Mr. Wembley won't be taking you for Mathematics in the next couple of weeks. Instead, you'll have Mr. Young.
MIKE (nods to the class): Good morning.
CLASS (in chorus): Good morning, Mr. Young.
MR. MUIR: I trust you'll give Mr. Young your every co- operation.

With that, he smiles at Mike and leaves him to it. Mike opens a text book, but Sharon says quickly:

SHARON: How's it going, Mike?
MIKE: I think we'd better stick to 'Mr. Young', Sharon.
SHARON: Come on, Mike, don't get all stuffy on us.
NICK: Yeah, that's right. We're your *mates*, remember?

Mike stands there looking uncertain.

No. 24
Harold sits down at the kitchen table for lunch, commenting to Madge that he feels like he's done a full day's work already. Madge tells him that he'll be all right when he's had something to eat. Harold asks if they can talk before they get into this proof of hers about his snoring. At that moment, though, there's a knock on the front door and Harold goes to answer it. He finds Reverend Sampson standing on the step and he invites him in. Madge joins them and asks the Reverend how they can help. Harold smiles:

HAROLD: I think the Reverend has got some news for *me*, Madge.
REVEREND SAMPSON (frowns): Well, Harold, as you know, the a cappella group tend to be rather serious- minded.
HAROLD: Oh yes, yes.
REVEREND SAMPSON: And they don't take too kindly to jokes - especially when their time is at a premium.

Harold, looking blank, tells the Reverend that he's lost him; has someone been playing jokes? The Reverend holds up a tape and shrugs that he couldn't think what else Harold would like to *call* it. Harold exclaims in horror:

HAROLD: They thought my singing was a *joke*?

Looking taken aback, the Reverend says he's not sure what's going on. He then spots Scott's tape recorder and asks if he can use it. Harold tells him he can. Madge asks Harold what this is all about and Harold explains that he made an audition tape for the a cappella group. The Reverend says:

REVEREND SAMPSON: When we went to play your audition tape, all we got was *this*.

The Reverend turns on the tape - and Harold and Madge hear the sound of snoring. A grin crosses Madge's face. Harold says blankly that he doesn't understand. He then looks at Madge's expression and realisation begins to dawn...

Erinsborough High
Mike is standing in front of the class, saying:

MIKE: So - in a right- angled triangle, the sum of the square of the sides adjacent to the right angle are equal to the square of what?

Sharon puts up her hand and says:

SHARON: Er, the hippopotamus, isn't it?!

Several students laugh. Nick calls out that it's the rhinoceros! Mike, looking annoyed, asks if anyone has the *right* answer. Jessie puts up her hand and says it's the hypotenuse. The bell rings for the end of class and the students all stand up to leave. Mike, however, stops them and tells them that he hasn't given them their homework yet. Sharon groans:

SHARON: You can't stick us with homework, Mike, not on your first day.
NICK: Yeah, give us a break, mate, we've already got enough from our *other* teachers.
MIKE (firmly): Would you all just sit down and wait until I've issued you with your assignment, please?

He begins to hand round some sheets of paper - but Sharon suddenly starts leading a chant of:

SHARON: No more homework. No more homework.

Nick and several other students start joining in. Only Jessie doesn't take part. At the back of the room, Mr. Muir walks in suddenly and demands sternly:

MR. MUIR: What's going on in here?

The whole class falls silent and turns to look at him. Mike stands at the front, looking worried.